Ben, you may not have made the podium or had the race you wanted, but two things are abundantly clear to me watching this video. 1. You're not a quitter - that took grit to make it to the finish, and real head strength to convince yourself the race was still worth completing, even after you realised your race had really ended. 2. Perhaps the most amazing thing I saw was your friends and family - people would do a lot to have the family and friend-network you have around you. They seem like an amazingly supportive bunch - and this weekend you saw that they love you at your best, but they love you even more at your weakest. Cherish those who give so much to help support you, it's life's greatest gift, in my opinion. Well done champ, I'm sure you'll smash the next one. Never give up!

So proud of you for showing your vulnerabilities on here, it’s only going to help others know that it’s real and it’s tough!!! 👏 you did so well!

Hi Ben, great video and really nice to able to run with you on Saturday in what were tougher conditions than expected. Great to see your support team featured as well - well done to them as well! Really good to see a positive/honest feature on your experience and that its not all just PB's and trophies, sometimes things are tough and thats when we learn what we are all about! Keep up the great work and I look forward to following your journey. All the best fella

Even though "just 50k", this seems to be the essence of Ultra running! So well captured, thanks Ben! Not a good runner myself yet, but seen so many ultra videos where people handle these lows with varying results.

11mins in, it started not to go to plan.. good to show your emotions Ben on how you were feeling at that point...congrats on the determination to finish it 👏 proud of you

Ben well done, I’m a person looking to complete an ultra 50k trial and this has helped me realise the challenges involved, thank you for being so honest and not just showing the ‘nice’ parts. You’re an inspiration to me and I appreciate you more than you’ll ever know

We've all been there Ben, shows real heart to finish a bad race. So sweet how you sis walked it in with you!

My friend.. welcome to the ultra running! It's a lot different from the shortest distances as you saw.. and now that you have complet it you can think of the things you can adjust for the next race.. in which I'm sure that you will only go with either plan A or B ! One more thing to say if I may, it was really touching seeing your family, girl and friends support you through the race, not many people do that and it was really heartwarming having your little sister accompany you for the last miles. Don't forget your words, trust the process! All the hard work will pay you back eventually. Wish you all the best Ben! Until next time!

With a family support crew like that you can never fail Ben! Well done for finishing it!

More than anything what shines through is that your a genuine and decent bloke with no ego, just a genuine love for running. I love how you showed the downside of running too as it doesn’t often get talked about, but getting through it is what makes us who we are. I’m love running too, glad to see your channel growing. Also you seem to have picked a good one your mrs seems very supportive 👍🏻

never thought I'd shed tears watching a running video!

As soon as your sister joined to help finish, something got in my eye… 🥲 well done Ben! (and lil sis) 👏 🙂

First video I'm seeing on this channel and I am super impressed. What a class act. Your personality and optimism is contagious (not to mention that this is very well edited). Excuse me as I go back and watch the rest of your videos

Showing your Vulnerability was class. Well done 🚀

Love watching your videos. Inspirational!! Gutted you cramped up after 40km. Fair play for carrying on. Emotional to see you finish it with your sisters support

I’ve only recently discovered your channel but am loving working my way through it. I am 18 months in to my running journey and you have so many useful tips and reflections. And this video is so inspiring - huge respect to you not just for finding the grit to push on but also sharing the footage of you at your lowest. I know from my own experience of having to drop out of a marathon that you can train so hard but sometimes it’s just not your day. But pushing on, learning from the experience and bouncing back for the next race is what gets you through it. That medal was hard-won and must be so special!

Nice one Ben, top vlog as always . I was so touched by the support of your wonderful family. You’re a lucky man!!!

Thanks for sharing your honest and unfiltered emotional response when you were really struggling. I massively respect that, even more than my admiration for your running ability. I know this a year ago and you’ve gone on to bigger and better things since.

You the man! Not every run goes according to plan but the perseverance through the tough stretches shows your heart and determination.

I loved this. Social media is full of cherry picked moments. It was so interesting to see someone who could have podiumed having a howler. So genuine and I was very impressed when you got back on the horse at the last check point to get that finishers medal. Well played.

Well done mate, great determination! I've completely blown up in a 76km mountain ultra here in Bulgaria... I sat on the ground for 15minutes literally 2km from the finish. Overdid it on one of the climbs and it destroyed my race, total exhaustion! It will always feel like a great achievement though so awesome job on pushing on!

Well done for finishing! This is just as inspiring as a podium finish! Well done! Goodness, I know that feeling when you think you just cannot take another step! Well done!

Love watching your videos. So fun and inspirational. Wish I could run as fast as you, but seeing your videos helps to dream big. You are great and Meg is great!

Huge Kudos to you Ben. I've done SVM a couple of times (at tortoise pace I might add) so know how challenging that trail is. It was so humid on Saturday. I remember seeing you arrive at the final CP, then later hearing Colin R at Brantham say you'd dropped out.... so, it was wonderful to see you cross the finish to earn your medal. I have no doubt you'll return to get your plan A and plan B. Great vlog!

That 11 minute mark.. that hit me right in the feels - really appreciate you being so real! Just getting into racing myself and seeing stuff like this is inspirational! Videos are always great - this one was mega though!!

Great race vlog mate! Races sometimes don’t go to plan, that’s why it’s so addictive lol. You did great, and to get a finishers medal is awesome

100% agree with the pinned comment. Congratulations on finishing this ultra, when I would expect many who went through what you did would have quit - that's clearly not your style. Thanks for showing that you are human and vulnerable like the rest of us - we are so used to seeing you make running at speed look easy, but sometimes even guys like you find it hard. You have an amazing support crew to celebrate the good times and help you through the tough times - well done to them 👏 Keep up with these great vlogs, Ben - the content is always improving 👍All the best for the future 🙂

After seeing the struggle, I am really looking forward to see you give it another try this year!

Way to hang in there Ben. If you've raced enough, you'll experience a day like this. I've been there and probably most people who have toed the line more than a few times have had a day like this. Don't underestimate the heat and some times you just have to a tough race. I've run a bunch of marathons (27) and have been humbled by quite a few. You got yours done and you'll have plenty of more opportunities to make your A and B level goals. Enjoyed the video and your story.

Amazing!!! My two favorite races are the 5k and the 50k… both very very different but equally enjoyable to run. Glad you tried something new!

Had no idea you’d done an ultra Ben. Hands down my favourite of all your videos. Really well done and well done on filming the really tough bits.

What a lovely wife, family and friends out there supporting you. You're a very lucky man. Not in a million years will my family support me like that. And congratulations on the 50k Race. Awesome video.

Well done Ben, brilliant effort mate and don't be too hard on yourself. I really felt for you in this vid. I really enjoy your vlogs, they are one of the best running channel vlogs keep up the great running and content👍🏻

Well done Ben ! Awesome you took your sister with you mate brilliant to watch 👏 ❤

I know this must have been hard to post Ben as its not the result/performance you would have wanted but to me this is one of the best videos you can upload for us viewers. It takes a great deal of courage to post a video like this and as we all know, sometimes it doesn't matter how much training you put in, there is always a chance that the race just doesn't go your way and its valuable for us to see that everyone suffers from this at all levels. I for one have suffered with stomach issues during races and it takes every ounce of willpower and determination to finish the race and not just stop so huge props to you for soldiering through.

Well done Ben in completing your first 50k race distance races are all ways tough l ran a 50k race up in Fife in Scotland think my time was 3hr 39mins 7min miles pace l was running my marathons at 2hr 56mins really enjoy your vlogs good luck with your running Ben all the best

Unbelievable mental strength mate these are the hurdles you have to over come to reach the hight’s we all know you will reach. It’s only up from here, inspiration to all mate keep up the hard work! 💪🏼

Mega running. Been in this place a few times on my ultras. Good one for getting it done.

Fantastic video mate! Well done

Well done Ben👏 Kudos for showing the downs as well as the ups

Congrats! Did my first in April and loved it!

Oh no Ben. 😭 don't be too disappointed. Really brave to show that. Should be proud pal

Some times it doesn't go to plan but that's the nature of the beast. All a learning experience, and a fantastic effort regardless or time/position. Keep it up! :)

What an incredible effort young man

Well in Benji, proud of you x

You da bomb, Ben good job 👍🏼 Ima your #1 fan

Great video Ben, first time I have watched you. Have liked and subscribed. Very motivational.

Inspirational stuff that....well done!

I'm so excited for you! will see your video and comment!

Even when you were struggling you were moving forward. Nice work dude.

Great work Ben, really impressive stuff for not calling a day at 43km! Gonna smash the 70min half!

Strong 💪 well done 👍🥇 will be better days but the bad ones will make you even stronger 👌 amazing done 👏

Awesome friends\family - i hate a death march and have dnf a few races to avoid - you’ll win many 50kms sure.

Fair play mate good effort that looked hard 👍

Brilliant Ben, great effort mate great mental fortitude and great support from ur fam and friends mate supporting u :)

Wow a local runner that’s a first for me, I’m from Colchester. Great stuff, and a new sub

The minute when your voice broke i broke the subscribe button man, much love from Poland Brother! Keep doing this

I'm glad I found this channel.

Only been watching ur channel for a few months but anyone who’s watched ur vids and seen ur Strava knows you could have not done anything better preparation wise. We all have those days, and this will strengthen you mentally. Keep up the good work buddy, you are motivating more people then you think.

Man what a rollercoaster.. amazing Ben.. dunno if it means anything to yah but I'm proud of you

Good on you Ben!

You already know by the time you're back you'll smash it

Haven't watched all the way through yet so I'm not sure if you'll come back to footwear choice - but I think my only reservation about using the Nike Vaporfly's for a trail race would be stability and support. These shoes are made for road running and therefore by taking them off road you may run the risk of twisting an ankle (especially in an Ultra where fatigue plays a part) - so I would probably advise a shoe specifically designed for the trails next time! I know the Vaporfly's are speed demons but you still find good speed in the Hoka collection nowadays plus others (Salomon, Asics, Adidas Terrex, innov8, etc.). Interested to know if other viewers agree!

Bless you for being real bro.

I felt your pain. I did run to the sea ultra 50km Toughest thing Iv ever done! The pain and emotion I went through during that was unbelievable! Has made me more determined to do it again but better next time! Loving your videos and glad Iv found your channel. Ps. My 5km is 15:32 😉🤣👍

Great video Ben!

Absolutely fantastic effort mate and very well put together. I really felt That emotional bit as well about 12 mins in. You did amazing mate and trained hard for it.

Brilliant video

Ben is amazing 🎉

I know the feeling all too well. Runs like these are what really help you to become a better runner, so I think this will make you even stronger. Great job Ben!

I didn't do a 50km run but I did do a 30km fell race recently over 1000m elevation and I remember getting 20km into it feeling the same. I kept cramping after that, chest felt funny and whenever I tried to run I felt like I would size up. I realise now that I went out too fast on the hills 😂. however your channel has inspired me to be better prepared and train more 😅

Just watching some of the backlogs waiting on the new vlogs 😁 Also Meg you are awesome great support ❤

👍. congrats buddy.

EPIC story!! When you push the needle you sometimes have to go through some fire. But you can take the learnings and smash the next one 👌👌

Well done Ben 🏃👊👍

Well done Ben!

Well done Ben.

great effort mate. maybe a short vid on what worked and what didn't work? what might you do differently next time (diff shoes lol?). really tempted to sign up for one. always good to learn from the experience of other first-timers! cheers

You're an absolute trooper mate! Very inspiring to watch you push on through the adversity 🙂

You have the best family and friends support team.

Nice 50 k Ben💥👊💥Simon from the Cayman Islands 🇰🇾

Nicely done! Surely next time it will be better! My goal for next year is 50km ultra marathon but here in Slovakia , the easiest 50k has 2500+ elevation :/

Well done, I ran it on sat too and the heat was really tough especially in those exposed fields. Well done for sticking it out.

A fantastic video, Ben. Really inspirational - and I imagine you'll learn a lot from this run. Enjoying your channel - definitely top of my running vlog list at the moment . Love how you just get right in there, whatever the distance, and give it a real go.

Terrific effort mate. I don't think you had very long to train for that but you still did it. You'll nail the next one after that experience. You were flying early on, driven by those massive goals you set yourself. Always aiming high! Good on ya 👍🏻🏃‍♂️

Had a similar experience during a HM where I increased my pace from 5:00 to 4:40/km which gave me strange stomach pains and a littleshin splints during the race. Since then I decided to never experiment on race day and just stick to my routine. I mainly up the pace the last few kilometres if my body still feels great.

Well done Benjamin 🏃‍♂️

you're an inspiration to all runners man i loved this video so much. brought a tear to my eye seeing u finish good job my man!!! you'll get them next time for sure! very well done. never give up i love that about you.

Ben. You did amazing. Just to even finish this is INSANE. I got a little emotional when you were down but I knew you would finish it. Great job Ben and let’s gets the Under 70min half!

👏👏👏 well done. Come run the Leicester half marathon in October

Welled up a bit at 15:16, not gonna lie. Thanks for sharing, Ben.

Ben, on my first 60k run I did the same mistanke, I ran the first 2 hrs to fast and it bitre me later, and I have also tryed the same mistanke on my 2nd 140.6 Ironman i did , but we all learn. I like to see how you progress. Myself i am back to my Training after 3 years break - i got kids and that rat up all my time and energy, but now i am back and trying to train up for my first 100 miles ultrarun , called Hammertrail,Bornholm, Denmark :) But Ben keep pushing, you run great 💪

Well done Ben. And well done to your family too - amazing support :)

What an awesome video, and your sister! Walking it in with you! I swear, I almost cried when I saw that. And you finished, that's the biggest thing. Ultras are tough beasts. I DNFed my first one, and then sat in the middle of the trail and sobbed like a baby. Trust me, you've totally got the next one. Plus you've already have a great family, and that's worth more than any race.

Nice video Ben, currently getting into racing myself for the first time and seeing experiences such as this one is really inspirational! Great job.

It kinda made my day, watching random friends appear to support you. Interesting shoe decision as well. Mental training is tough but you are better for the experience. RESPECT from Indiana!!!!!

Well done Ben! it was great to see you get it done. I was watching the live standing on there site, you had me scared for a bit. Also a big well done to all your whole family for there support.

9:41 your friend is hilarious!! 😂

Been following your channel for a while now Ben and always look forward to your videos. I love how real your videos are and this was no exception. Even if it didn't go the way you planned, it is still an awesome achievement and super impressive guts and determination. Looking forward to seeing what your next challenge is :) Cheers from Australia, Toby

good effort mate - more reason to go and smash the next one!!